Get pre-approved the smart way

Why pre-approval comes first

Getting pre-approved before you shop does two big things: it tells you the real number you're working with, and it makes your offer competitive when the right home shows up. Sellers take a strong pre-approval seriously. And because I'm a loan officer and an agent, we do this together — it never gets handed off.

Pre-approval vs. pre-qualification (the real difference)

People mix these up all the time. A pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on what you tell me. A pre-approval is the real thing — I actually review your documents, so it carries weight with sellers. We want the real one.

What to gather (the document list)

Don't overthink this — here's the short list. If something's missing, we'll figure it out together.

• Recent pay stubs (about the last 30 days)
• W‑2s and tax returns (last two years; returns matter more if you're self-employed)
• Two months of bank and asset statements
• A government-issued ID
• Details on any current debts or other income

What we'll look at together (it's more than a rate)

• Your comfort payment — what fits your monthly life, not just the max
• Cash to close — the full amount you'll need, with no surprises at the table
• Loan options that actually fit your situation
• Seller credits and the right timing

Protect your approval (until we close)

Once you're pre-approved, keep things steady — a few common moves can shake an approval loose right before the finish line.

• Don't open new credit cards or loans
• Don't make big purchases on credit (cars, furniture)
• Don't change jobs without telling me first
• Don't move large sums between accounts without a paper trail